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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

Hong Kong’s vibrant broadcasting industry, traditionally dominated by free-to-air content, is reinventing itself or the streaming era with investment in the TV premium market, say lawyers.

Government efforts include broadening programme choice for the community, as well as to encourage investment and innovation in the industry.

Lawyers say work over the past year has included advice on publishing law and regulation in the gaming and sports industries, as well as advice on licensing and international broadcasting.

In other developments, one of the region’s best selling newspapers, Apple Daily, announced its closure in June 2021, marking a low point for press freedom in the territory. The title began as a tabloid and developed into a pro-democracy newspaper that was openly critical of the government.

Apple Daily’s founder Jimmy Lai was arrested and jailed under charges of “subversion” just months

after the National Security Law was imposed in June 2020. The title later closed after the authorities froze the newspaper’s bank accounts and arrested key staff members on the grounds that its reports were in breach of the new law.

In a statement, Apple Daily commented: ‘Due to the current circumstances prevailing in Hong Kong, Apple Daily in its print form will come to an end no later than the last edition on Saturday 26 June 2021 and the digital version will no longer be accessible no later than 11:59pm on Saturday 26 June 2021.

‘The company thanks our readers for their loyal support and our journalists, staff and advertisers for their commitment over the past 26 years.’

TIER 1

Baker McKenzie has in-depth knowledge of the entertainment, communications and e-commerce industries. The team has exceptional experience advising on legal and commercial matters, including complex technology licensing and regulatory issues, cross-border mergers and acquisitions and outsourcing. The team across a range of industry cases, advising global and domestic clients.

Bird & Bird’s media group includes sports and digital business as core focus areas. The TMT practice also works with multiple mobile game publishers.The team works on local and regional cases with commercial, regulatory and intellectual property aspects. The team also advises on corporate and transactional matters.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is “able to deliver reliable, punchy and responsive advice and execute our deals within deadlines” noted one client. The firm is highlighted favourably by clients who also describe the team as responsive and knowledgeable. The team is praised by clients for “going the extra mile to make deals happen”.

TIER 2

Working with clients from the creative industries, Deacons has particular experience advising on recording and publishing arrangements, agency and management contracts, distribution and co-production. The team also advises on the purchase, financing and restructuring of media companies.

The intellectual property and commercial practice of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer works across a range of commercial and transactional projects. Lawyers advise industry clients on contentious intellectual property matters, e-commerce and internet-related cases. The team also assists with privacy matters, advertising and regulation.  

Haldanes acts for overseas record companies, television and film production companies, event promoters and artists. The commercial, media and entertainment practice assists with financing, licensing and distribution and artist and talent agreements. Other areas of emphasis include sports and theatrical productions, advertising and copyright.

Hogan Lovells acts for entertainment companies, broadcasters and investors. The team is known for its exceptional knowledge of media regulation and copyright licensing. Lawyers also provide telecommunications regulatory advice in cases involving acquisitions in China and Hong Kong. The TMT practice also represents gaming and e-commerce companies.

Morrison & Foerster primarily advises on business transactions and disputes involving copyrightable materials. Lawyers regularly work with clients from the entertainment industry on all aspects of copyright protection and management. While advising on multimedia products, the team also works closely with clients from the film, theatre, music and publishing segments.  

Data privacy and cyber security specialist Squire Patton Boggs advises on commercial agreements, international data protection and litigation. The team assists local and regional clients with domestic and international business. Lawyers also advise on regulatory policy and legislative issues affecting public and private sector clients.

TIER 3

King & Wood Mallesons focusses on the sports and TMT sectors. The multidisciplinary team routinely advises on commercial, regulatory and outsourcing transactions. The team assists clients with joint ventures, private equity investments and handles dispute resolution.

TIER 4

The media team at Stephenson Harwood advises on regulatory and outsourcing transactions. The team advises on corporate matters including IPOs and work closely with the firm’s commercial practice group, providing cross-practice advice. The team also assists with intellectual property licensing.

  REGIONS WE COVER

  Middle East and North Africa

  North America

  Asia-Pacific

  Western Europe

  Central and Eastern Europe

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